Asian markets in the dog house again. China CSI 300 falls another 1.35% and Japan down 0.52%.

STOCK STUFF

DOW +5.05% upgrades following positive review of SPO acquisition.

WEB -2.43% selling continues.

ZEL -8.55% on low volume.

BTT +4.53% global fund managers in the spotlight.

APT -5.93% heat coming out after recent run.

BIG -8.79% profit taking after update.

LYC +4.88% heading in the right direction.

PLS +3.59% lithium back in fashion.

KDR +6.47% back in favour ahead of Tesla test.

EUC -6.12% drilling report disappoints.

CSL +0.54% drawing buyers again.

AOG -0.76% reports of class action.

BSL +0.14% new CFO appointed.

MQG +0.87% breaks $100.

TWE +0.63% helped by Chinese tarriff reductions.

TLS -0.57% under pressure after NBN statement.

RCG +12.66% big hitter takes an 11% stake.

ANG +8.00% drawing strength from Waislitz recommendation.

KGN +3.41% substantial shareholder.

MYQ +27.78% binding term sheet signed with Ravi Krishnan an Indian sports identity.

Speculative stock of the day: Quantum Resources (QUR) +100.00% following a MOU signed to fast track lithium development with FAR Resources.

Biggest risers – DOW, BTT, AJM, WOR, LYC, VOC and PLS.

Biggest fallers – BIG, PME, APT, ASB, BPT and SLC.

TODAY

Downer EDI (DOW) +5.05% Company update this morning with the SPO acquisition review being largely positive. Underlying earnings have been consistent and broadly in line with the company’s business case. Cost synergies are expected to be around $25m and the MD is pleased with the integration.

RCG Corp (RCG) +12.66% A substantial shareholding has fired this company up this morning with Brett Blundy acquiring around 11.82% of the company at 95c. The vendors were RCG directors all of whom were vendors of the Accent business acquired in 2015. Blundy has a great track record and where there is smoke there is fire.

BIG Un (BIG) –8.79% US update with the company onboarding over 800 customers with a further 600 due by the end of the quarter. In addition to the 800 signed agreements achieved in Q1, and the expected 1,400 signed agreements in Q2, the company expects to deliver a further 4,600 signed agreements by 30 June 2017 resulting in 6,800 signed agreements for FY17/18. At a conversion rate of 50% and an ARPU of $4,500 this would represent US$15.3m in sales revenue. The Company plans to expand US sales seats to 100 by the end of Q3 and currently has 29 sales people on the ground.

NBN is immediately halting the rollout of super-fast broadband delivered over pay television cables due to mounting issues with service dropouts. Telstra, in response to NBN’s announcement, said it would be looking at its full-year financial guidance. TLS FY18 guidance included an assumption that the NBN rollout would be broadly in accordance with the NBN Corporate Plan 2017.

Bingo Industries (BIN) says the waste management company will now turn its sights to Queensland and other states beyond NSW and Victoria in its acquisition strategy after spending a combined $141m to help double its future capacity. BIN is raising $120m with a non-renouceable entitlement offer at 190c.

ECONOMIC NEWS

Nothing today

BOND MARKET

ASIAN MARKETS

The cryptocurrency frenzy continues. FOMO is strong with this one.

Is China cooling?

A survey by the China Economic Panel showed expectations for the next 12 months dropped to 7.6 this month from 17.3 in October. The construction sector scored much worse than in the previous month, according to the statement.

Sentiment among sales managers eased, according to a survey by London-based World Economics Ltd., as the reading fell to 51.5, the lowest in 13 months.

The S&P Global Platts China Steel Sentiment Index edged down to 31.93 this month from 33.61 in October. The gauge is based on a survey between 75 and 90 China-based market participants including traders and steel mills.

Manufacturing was little changed from last month, according to the China Satellite Manufacturing Index, which remained unchanged at 51.08. The gauge published by San Francisco-based SpaceKnow Inc. tracks commercial satellite imagery to gauge activity levels across thousands of industrial sites.

Judging by the recent falls in the equity market, things may have peaked as the party conference effects unwind.

EUROPE AND US MORNING HEADLINES

Time Inc will be sold to rival media group Meredith in a deal valued at US$2.8bn and backed by the Koch brothers.

More on US tax reform this week may help Dow break more records.

Troubles in Ireland miring the UK Brexit negotiations.

UK retail failed to buck the gloom despite Black Friday. High street footfall was down 4.2% on last year. Including retail parks and shopping centres, 3.6% fewer shoppers bothered to seek out a bargain on Friday. The figures, compiled by Springboard, were significantly worse than an expected decline of just 0.6%.

OPEC meeting this week. Should be interesting.

And finally….

Thanks to my great Buddy Richard Morrow from Baillieus one of the best brokers around for these gems

During a lull over a recent dinner, Melania Trump leaned over to chat with the Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson. “You know, I bought Donald a parrot for his birthday in June. That bird is so smart, Donald has already taught him to say over two hundred words!”
“Wow, that’s pretty impressive,” said Tillerson, “but, you do realise that he just speaks the words, …he doesn’t really understand what they mean.”

“Oh, I know,” replied Melania, ……….”neither does the parrot.”

Just been on a diabetes awareness website and it asked me if I accept cookies.

Is that a trick question?

Despite getting A-level results of A, B, B, A it seems that no employer will take a chance on me.